Newsletter 46, 2nd November 2025

Dear Parishioner

Firstly, may we apologise that the last newsletter we published was dated 6^th April 2025, 5^th Sunday of Lent, and which was the 45^th newsletter since we started at the beginning of Covid in 2020. Like us, I am sure that for you it’s something that seems a distant past.

What a journey it is that we have gone through in the life of St Martins since then. So much has happened and many changes have occurred, and here are just a few highlights that for us stand out.

After going into an Interregnum early 2019, we were very lucky and grateful to be supported and led by Fr Michael, Fr Andy & Fr David. After months of communications and meetings with St Mary’s church wardens, Martyn Taylor our Rural Dean and The Archdeacon, we were so fortunate that Fr Mark offered himself as Minister in Charge of St Martins and he was licensed in December 2022.

In 2023 Mark was appointed by Bishop Stephen as Honorary Canon at Lincoln Cathedral, a service which several of the congregation attended.

So what else has happened, after years of fundraising our dream was realised, when through three generous bequests and other donations, we were able to start works to have the wonderful facilities we enjoy today with the accessible access, toilets and kitchen. As you are all aware this has opened more opportunities for St Martins, for concerts, talks and group meetings.

Following Fr James occasional help with services which we were grateful for, Fr James is now part of the team here at St Martins as Honorary Priest.

We now have a section of ground at the East end of the Churchyard which has been dedicated as an area for burial of cremated remains and is marked by a brass plaque. This will in due course, have an edging all round so the area is easily identifiable and has enough plots for use well into the future. If you want to discuss this please speak to Fr Mark or the churchwardens.

So that’s a snap shot of what has happened at St Martins since we started these newsletters.

So back to the present, today we celebrate:

The fourth Sunday before Advent Trinity 20, All Saints Day and it is also The Burghley Sermon.

The readings for today are as follows:

First Reading                  Daniel  Chapter 7 verses 1-2 15-18

Second Reading             Ephesians  Chapter 1 verses 11-25

The Holy Gospel according to Luke Chapter 6 verses 20-31

So what has happened since our last newsletter at Easter?

We celebrated VE Day in Church on Sunday 11^th May in St Martin’s tradition with fizz, jam tarts and sausage rolls, which was enjoyed by all.

St Martins was again involved in the Stamford Churches Together Children’s Festival on 4^th June and two schools attended ably led by Alison Warrick and Jo Keogh with help from the Church Wardens. The results of the day are hanging on the wall as you go down the ramp and we hope to be taking part again this year. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the day was well received by the teaching staff with them.

The parish lunch on Sunday 15^th June was a lovely day and fortunately not as hot it was to become later that month through a very warm summer. Everyone who attended was treated to a wonderful meal and it was so good to see everybody relaxed and getting to know each other.

We have had several wonderful concerts this year, from the Stamford International Music Festival, run by Freya Goldmark, Stamford Strings three concerts, Green Room Place using our Bluthner piano which Nigel has transformed, and of course the organ recitals in August. These weren’t as well attended as usual because of the Town Bridge closure, but they still made a fantastic £460.35, which under the circumstances was really good and we are as ever indebted to our Musical Director, Nigel Stark and his friends who he persuades to play for us. There was also the Lumos candlelight Coldplay concert.

Your PCC is hoping to use the money raised from the concerts to improve the seating in the Church to make it more comfortable and encourage more people to use St Martins as their venue.

We have been very fortunate to receive a grant from the Stamford Church Lads which has transformed our children’s area and the toilet and we are looking at ways to continue to improve our provision for this.

Forthcoming concerts:

Unfortunately there will be no Gospel Choir this year as they are fully committed with other concerts, but hope that they will return next year.

Saturday 20^th December - Green Room Collaboration, Christmas Cinematic Magic– concert details to be advertised soon

Forthcoming events:

16^th November Patronal & Gift Day – Last year we celebrated the new facilities with a blessing from Bishop Christopher. Who can believe a year has passed already! This year there will be our usual celebrations after the service which we hope everyone will stay behind for, and we also ask that this year’s Gift Day goes towards the work in the Quinquennial report which not only highlights the roof as we are all well aware of, but other repairs that are needed once investigative work has been carried out in the chapel over the South Porch and the wall behind the pews on the south aisle. If anyone would like to know more details, please talk to the Church Wardens. We know that things are difficult for people but any assistance you can give would be very gratefully received to help us maintain this wonderful building.

Saturday 20^th December – Church cleaning for Christmas. Our usual morning clean of St Martins in preparation for our Lord’s birth and any time that you can spare, even if it is only half an hour, would be very welcome. Refreshments and all cleaning materials provided.

Tuesday 23^rd December – 7.30pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Thursday 25^th December - 9.30am Sung Christmas Day Eucharist

We have also been asked by the St Martins Conservation Trust to advertise for new trustees and the advert is attached with this letter. They are doing their best to help with our fundraising for the roof and if you are interested or know of anyone who may be please use the details in the attachment.

We think that has about caught up with all that has happened in St Martins to date and will of course keep you informed when we have an further updates

With very best wishes

Alan & Julie

Churchwardens

22 High St, St Martins Stamford

m.scott603@btinternet.com 07860 658748 / 01780 762405

Safeguarding Officer

Ms Jo Keogh

07725 262364

st.martin.stamford@gmail.com

INVITATION FOR NEW TRUSTEES

Are you passionate about St Martin’s Church as a historic building and centre for the community, for worship and quiet reflection? Do you relish a challenge?

If you have some time to spare, why not join the St Martin’s Church Conservation Trust as a Trustee?

The Trustees meet quarterly and are a friendly group, concerned to preserve the exterior fabric of the Church, so that the building can continue to host the many wonderful services, concerts and other occasions for the benefit of the community and be a welcoming place for national and international visitors to our town.

We currently have 3 vacancies and would welcome applications from those with a background in general administration, fund raising, bid writing, construction, IT, marketing and finance. Prior experience of working in the charity sector would be valuable but is not a pre-requisite.

To express your interest, please email our Clerk at: smcct2018@gmail.com with your details and a contact number. Closing date for applications: 1^st December 2025